Champs top volleyball poll

The first volleyball rankings of the year are always difficult to compile because past performance must be weighed against potential. This year was especially difficult as reclassification jumbled up the regions and added a new class. Schedules, returning players and coaches were just some of the components taken into account when determining the top teams in each classification. Defending champions Walton, Pope, Sandy Creek and Eagles’ Landing Christian Academy each begin the year atop their respective polls, but with reclassification adding a Class AAAAAA and the GHSA deciding to split AA/A into AA and A, the two additional No. 1′s are GAC in Class AA and Woodward Academy in Class AAA.

In Class AAAAAA, Walton and Harrison give the top of the poll a Cobb flavor while Class AAAA has a Middle Georgia feel to it. Private schools dominate the lowest classification, and expect to see jockeying all season long in Class A, which could be the most entertaining classification in the state.

AAAAAA

1. Walton

2. Harrison

3. Roswell

4. North Cobb

5. Chattahoochee

6. North Gwinnett

7. Brookwood

8. Etowah

9. Lassiter

10. West Forsyth

AAAAA

1. Pope

2. Whitewater

3. McIntosh

4. Riverwood

5. Starr’s Mill

6. Lakeside-DeKalb

7. Sprayberry

8. Northgate

9. Rockdale County

10. North Springs

AAAA

1. Sandy Creek

2. Columbus

3. Veterans

4. Shaw

5. Mary Persons

6. Southeast Whitfield

7. Heritage, Catoosa

8. West Laurens

9. Perry

10. Gilmer

AAA

1. Woodward Academy

2. St. Pius X

3. Blessed Trinity

4. Sonoraville

5. Lakeview-FO

6. Hart County

7. North Oconee

8. North Hall

9. Ringgold

10. Oconee County

AA

1. GAC

2. Westminster

3. Wesleyan

4. Calhoun

5. Kendrick

6. Lovett

7. Jefferson

8. Westside, Augusta

9. Spencer

10. Johnson, Augusta

A

1. ELCA

2. Holy Innocents’

3. Landmark Christian

4. Walker

5. Athens Academy

6. Darlington

7. Gordon Lee

8. Our Lady of Mercy

9. King’s Ridge Christian

10. Savannah Country Day